Husband and wife John and Peg Larson dance on Saturday evening (08-16-14) at the Playhouse Merced Annual Fundraising Gala "A Night at the Sands". The event was held outside 510 Bistro in Bob Hart Square in downtown Merced, CA.
jlee@modbee.com

People are pictured on Saturday evening (08-16-14) at the Playhouse Merced Annual Fundraising Gala "A Night at the Sands". The event was held outside 510 Bistro in Bob Hart Square in downtown Merced, CA.
jlee@modbee.com

From left to right-Adam Miller, Min Jiang and Megan Miller socialize on Saturday evening (08-16-14) at the Playhouse Merced Annual Fundraising Gala "A Night at the Sands". The event was held outside 510 Bistro in Bob Hart Square in downtown Merced, CA.
jlee@modbee.com

Bob Hart Square on Saturday took on the glamor and glitz of the Las Vegas strip during its heyday as Playhouse Merced celebrated its annual gala with a “Night at the Sands” theme.

In true Vegas style, the party atmosphere was energized by a variety of luminaries and famous performers, played by local actors and actresses.

Saturday’s event, which this year was held outside the 510 Bistro, is Playhouse Merced’s largest fundraiser of the year. It helps the theater put on its productions as well as community programs, such as after-school programs and tours.

Robert Hypes, the theater’s artistic director, said around 285 people attended Saturday’s event, adding that he cannot thank those friends of supporters of the theater enough. Without the support of donors, Hypes said, the theater would not be able to continue.

“An event like that really sets us up for an entire year – that money goes to everything,” he said. “Without our gala we really would not be able to exist as we do.”